NIH: Aggressive BP Management Significantly Reduces CV Risk

Reducing systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients to levels below currently recommended targets could significantly reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and death, according to a recent study.

The study, funded by the National Institute of Health, evaluated the effects of maintaining a systolic blood pressure of 120 mm Hg in a group of about 9300 patients 50 years and older who were either at increased risk for heart disease or who had kidney disease.
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Participants were divided into 2 groups: the first group was treated to achieve a target blood pressure level lower than 140 mm Hg, while the second was treated to achieve a target lower than 120 mm HG.

Overall, rates of cardiovascular events were reduced by nearly 33% and risk of death was reduced by nearly 25% in patients targeting 120 mm HG compared to those targeting 140 mm HG.

“This study provides potentially lifesaving information that will be useful to health care providers as they consider the best treatment options for some of their patients, particularly those over the age of 50,” they concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

NIH. Landmark NIH study shows intensive blood pressure management may save lives [press release]. September 11, 2015. http://www.nih.gov/news/health/sep2015/nhlbi-11.htm.